Duofilm paint

Duofilm paint is a liquid containing the active ingredients salicylic acid and lactic acid. These are medicines called keratolytics. They work by breaking down keratin, a protein that forms part of the skin structure.

10/12/2013

What is it used for?

How does it work?

Duofilm paint is a liquid containing the active ingredients salicylic acid and lactic acid. These are medicines called keratolytics. They work by breaking down keratin, a protein that forms part of the skin structure.

The paint is applied directly to the warts. It causes the skin cells of the wart to soften and shed. It can take up to three months of treatment for the affected skin to be removed completely. If successful, the new skin that grows underneath will be healthy.

How do I use it?

Duofilm paint should be applied to the wart(s) once a day, preferably at bedtime, using the brush provided.

Each night before applying Duofilm you should remove any plasters and soak the wart for five minutes in warm water. Then dry the area with your own towel (sharing towels can spread the virus that causes the warts to other people).

After soaking and drying the wart, rub the top of it with a pumice stone, emery board or nail file. Rub carefully to avoid making the wart bleed. Then paint on enough Duofilm to cover the wart.

Take care to avoid getting the paint on healthy areas of skin as this can cause blistering and peeling.

Let the Duofilm dry, then cover the wart with a plaster. Try to leave this on until you repeat the treatment the next day.

Stop treatment when the wart is completely gone and you can see the ridgelines of healthy skin.

You may not notice an improvement in the wart for one to two weeks and it can take up to 12 weeks for it to disappear altogether. It is important to persevere with the treatment every night.

If you can still see the wart after 12 weeks of treatment you should consult your pharmacist or doctor for advice.

Warning!

Duofilm is flammable. Do not apply it near naked flames and do not smoke while applying it.

Do not inhale the vapour produced by Duofilm.

Duofilm is for external use on the affected areas of skin only. It must not be taken by mouth.

Do not apply the paint to normal healthy areas of skin, moles or birthmarks. If it comes into contact with these areas of skin, wash it off with plenty of water.

Do not apply the paint to broken, irritated, infected, red or inflamed skin.

Take care to avoid getting the paint in the eyes, nose or mouth. If it accidentally gets in these areas, flush it out with water for 15 minutes.

Do not use the pumice stone, emery board or nail file used to rub the warts on healthy skin or nails, as this may spread the infection.

Not to be used in

Children under two years of age.

Duofilm is not suitable for warts on the face, warts affecting anal or genital areas, or warts with hair growing from them, red edges or an unusual colour. Get advice from a doctor if you have a wart of this type.

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy.

If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Use with caution in

People with diabetes, poor blood circulation such as peripheral vascular disease, or nerve damage to the hands or feet. These people should only use this medicine under the supervision of a doctor.

Warts that cover more than 5cm2 of your body may require a different treatment and you should get advice from you doctor or pharmacist if this is the case.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

This medicine is unlikely to be harmful if used correctly by pregnant or breastfeeding mothers, because the amount absorbed into the bloodstream after application to small, localised warts is minimal. However, the manufacturer states that it is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women. You should get advice from your doctor before using this medicine if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, particularly if you have warts affecting large areas of skin.

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Just because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

Very common (affect more than 1 in 10 people)

Redness, dryness and peeling of the skin at the application site.

Irritation, itching or burning sensation at the application site. If your skin seems very irritated after using this paint you should stop using it and get advice from your doctor or pharmacist.

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